The HFNHL Ducks Rebuild

Wow....the HFNHL Ducks have taken the rebuild to heart this season, turning over most of its roster and acquiring numerous draft picks and prospects. This reporter is almost dizzy at the number of moves that GM Larsen has managed to pull off. It started with the move of top line center JG Pageau for some depth and youth in Andrew Shaw and Drake Cagguila. Then in a surprise move, young winger Tanner Pearson was moved with a late pick for Ryan Strome and an earlier pick. Strome is expected to be with the team long term with his positional flexibility and anticipated to be a strong C next season.

This was followed by the blockbuster....or should we say billbuster. Voracek on the move to Tampa with prospect Taylor Raddysh for top prospect Jesse Puljujarvi and four picks (including a first and a second). With the rebuild well underway, Kruger was then sent to the Island for Enstrom and a second. In a pure prospect deal, young phenom Sam Steel makes his way back to DuckLand from the Flyers in exchange for young Dman Haydn Fleury. GM Larsen has long been able to acquire D, but getting some young offensive talent can be a challenge in the HFNHL.

....let me catch my breath. Next up, utility player Torrey Mitchell was added for a fourth round selection. He will be a very valuable penalty killer for the Ducks as they try to maintain some ground in the tough western conference. He could be a very valuable trade chip at the trade deadline for some contending team. This was followed by defensive stalwart Kris Russell off to Chicago (in their one trade of the year) for a second round pick.

The next blockbuster was Jordan Eberle making his way to the spas of Philadelphia in exchange for young sniper prospect Kailer Yamamoto and three other prospects. Connor Carrick was then sent to Las Vegas for Curtis Lazar...another young prospect the Ducks have been trying to acquire for awhile.

Then this past weekend, Dion Phaneuf was sent to the Jets in a trade that has been in negotiations since the summer. He and some of the recently acquired picks are moved to Stanley Cup Contender Winnipeg in exchange for another first round pick, Erik Gudbranson, Ales Hemsky and cash.

The overriding theme here from Anaheim appears to have been acquiring draft picks in the very deep 2018 draft and still managing to remaining competitive. It should be noted that the HFNHL Blue Jackets holding their 2018 first rounder). They have also managed to reduce their cap number by about $15 million in the process. This could make them a very interesting team to follow on draft day and in free agency as they will have substantial cap space.

What's next? We asked the elusive Ducks GM for comment. He said that we can expect some more moves out of Anaheim. There are some older players who may become available to contending teams near or after the deadline.

Following the trade of Iginla, Enstrom and Mitchell to the Habs, the HFNHL Ducks have remained in discussions with teams on several players. The hottest item at the moment is strong DF and FO center Dominic Moore.

The Ducks are also willing to take on salary if needed in some trades as well, as we continue the climb to long-term excellence.

Of it's remaining vets that would be very beneficial to teams making their playoff push includes Moore, Andy Greene, Daniel Winnik and David Schlemko. The team would consider more substantial offers on Lucic and Quick, but that may be more likely in the summer months. Other players, such as Shaw, Strome, Gudbranson etc could be available but are not being shopped around.

GM Larsen was asked why the teardown, as the team sits second in the pacific. Essentially, it is to acquire assets for the older players that would not likely be re-signed by the team and to restock the prospect base following the teams attempt to bring Lord Stanley to the beaches in recent years.

The 2018 draft is expected to be a strong one and currently the Ducks sit with 5 first round picks. They also have substantial cap space to make a splash in free agency.